Coronavirus Economy: Major Retailers Offer Plan For Reopening Stores, Call For Uniform Government Guidelines

Two retail trade groups that represent major retailers called on governors Monday to adopt uniform, statewide protocols for retailers as they try to jump start the economy to keep customers and employees safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association issued a step-by-step plan to get business moving again.

“As conversations turn to the reopening of the economy, retailers are uniquely situated to provide input, because we’ve been on both sides of the stay at home orders,” Brian Dodge, president of the retail association said in a press release. “Groceries, pharmacies and other retailers that have remained open have implemented practices and protocols that are keeping employees and communities safe.”

Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the retail federation, said safety should be the top priority.

The Census Bureau reported March retail sales fell 8.7% to $483.1 billion from February as a result of widespread closures that began midmonth. More than 26 million people have filed initial unemployment claims, and experts have predicted a sharp contraction of the economy for the second quarter.

President Trump has been pushing governors who issued stay-at-home orders to start reopening their states. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines include the requirement that the number of new COVID-19 cases show falling numbers for two weeks – something that has yet to happen in most places. Even so, a number of states have begun loosening restrictions.

As of midmorning Monday, the U.S. reported at least 966,000 confirmed coronavirus infections along with nearly 55,000 deaths.

The trade groups’ plan outlines three phases that starts with curbside pickup and delivery and ends with the lifting of all restrictions.

“Consistent guidelines – without overburdensome regulatory schemes – across all levels of government is critical,” Shay said. “As an industry, we are committed to working with the administration, congressional and state leaders, and the professional medical community to help all families shop safe.”

Phase 1 points up the need for a “fully functioning supply chain with all distribution centers operational.” Warehouses and distribution centers need to be completely reopened, employing CDC social distancing guidelines and implementing improved hygiene and sanitization practices. All pickup and delivery services should be contactless, the plan recommends.

“Restaurants have been permitted in most jurisdictions to maintain limited operations by utilizing contactless pickup and delivery. We believe these operations should be expanded to include retailers immediately across all states and jurisdictions,” the plan said.

The second phase would allow more stores to open, taking precautions to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus by requiring both employees and customers to wear face masks and gloves, requiring employees to be screened for fever and other symptoms, employing stepped up hygiene and sanitizing practices and maintaining social distancing. The number of people in any store could be limited to as few as five per 1,000 square feet of shopping space.

The retail groups also emphasized the needs for uniform rules and urged governors to designate a single state agency to oversee the process.

“The governors have a difficult decision ahead of them,” association president Brian Dodge told Bloomberg.

Moving to phase 3 would still require the stepped-up sanitization and hygiene, with more frequent cleanings of restrooms and other “high-touch” areas.

“There is no doubt that even under the most optimistic of scenarios, American families will be adjusting to a ‘new normal’ for some time to come,” the plan recognizes.